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In this week's episode: the best things about Christmas in Sweden, interview with the Greens' migration spokesperson on citizenship slowdown plans. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• FACT CHECK: Did a Swedish company really tell staff not to say Merry Christmas?
• What you need to know about travelling in Sweden for Christmas 2024
• Sweden's beloved TV series that changes every year

• Sweden Democrat leader: 'People who are born here should be able to lose their citizenship'
• Lawyers and migration experts slam Swedish government's citizenship slowdown bid
• What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?

• How new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025
• 'A hodgepodge of bad measures': Swedish employers' group slams work permit changes

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Sweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on hold
• Where did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024?

• Ten Swedish books to read this year
• EXTERNAL LINK: New reading lists for Swedish preschools and schools (PDF)

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In this week's episode: Sweden’s Lucia tradition, who was Princess Birgitta, what we know about the government’s plan to stall citizenship grants.

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• What you need to know about celebrating Lucia in Sweden

• IN PICS: Who was Princess Birgitta, King Carl XVI's outspoken elder sister?

• Swedish government strikes deal to slow down Sweden citizenship awards
• OPINION: Foreigners in Sweden deserve fair and transparent citizenship rules
• Swedish citizenship slowdown 'very sketchy', says top Social Democrat

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In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz. 

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Former parliamentary speaker Birgitta Dahl dies

• Swedish word of the day: advent
• Why do the Nordic countries light candles on each Sunday of Advent?

• Sweden's government agrees to exempt schools, healthcare and social work from 'snitch law'

• The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through

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In this week's episode: why Sweden's deputy PM wants to restrict immigrants’ voting rights, how to get your body and mind ready for the winter, why a Swedish ad featuring the English c-word went viral last week.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Sweden's deputy PM proposes cutting non-citizens' voting rights
• Sweden Democrats call for ban on new citizenships until tougher rules are in place

• How to prepare for a snowstorm in Sweden 
• How a year on my allotment taught me to appreciate the Swedish seasons 

• Stockholm Metro ad blasted over 'shocking' use of English c-word 

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In this week's episode: will immigrants become cultural canon fodder? How Swedish politicians have reacted to Donald Trump’s victory, what's happening with the Tesla strike?

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and Nordic editor Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?
• LISTEN: Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreigners

• Politics in Sweden: How Trump's victory let Sweden's PM show off his gravitas 

• Swedish union boss: 'Culture clash' behind strikes against Tesla 
• Swedish union slams Tesla for bringing in foreign strike breakers 

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In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, Riksbank slashes key interest rate, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Americans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils
• 'I miss being with other Americans who feel the stakes as deeply as I do'
• Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulates Trump on election win

• Sweden's Riksbank slashes rates with first 'double cut' in a decade 
• IN FIGURES: How could lower interest rates affect your Swedish mortgage? 

• Swedish court jails Danish extremist Rasmus Paludan for hate crimes 

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In this week's episode: How gang crime is top of the agenda for Nordic leaders, why a politician wants to make recognizing Israel a condition of citizenship, the controversial past of India’s new ambassador, and which of Swedish universities are really world class.

Host James Savage is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Nordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and migration

New Swedish citizens should have to recognise Israel, MEP demands

India's new ambassador to Sweden tainted by maid abuse scandal

RANKED: The best universities in Scandinavia for 2025

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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In this week's episode: Halloween preparations, why Sweden is seeing fewer work permit applications, how a new fiscal policy framework has divided Sweden's left-wing parties.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Halloween vs All Saints Day: How to celebrate in Sweden
• The best places to celebrate Halloween in Sweden this year

• Swedish Migration Agency: We underestimated effect of work permit salary threshold 

• EXPLAINED: How significant is it that Sweden is changing its fiscal target? 
• Politics in Sweden: Have the Social Democrats just lost themselves the next election? 

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

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In this week's episode: Signs you live in Sweden, Rasmus Paludan on trial over anti-Muslim slurs, how celebrating your home culture can connect you to Sweden.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and James Savage, and we also hear from India Unlimited founder Sanjoo Malhotra about expressions of Indian culture in Sweden. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Tell us you live in Sweden without telling us you live in Sweden

• Danish-Swedish extremist Rasmus Paludan charged with hate crimes 

• How celebrating your home culture can make you feel more connected to Sweden 

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.